Technological innovation of production process of non-timber forest products into its valuable derivatives

5 January 2011

Turpentine     

         Turpentine is one of the essential oils obtained from pine trees and is very important substance with many applications such mainly as solvent in pharmaceutical industries and in processing of oils, resins and varnishes.

         Indonesia, especially Java Island is extremely rich in pine forest resources. Substantial part of the forest resources is regularly tapped in to produce oleo pine rosin that is processed later in a few factories located close to the tapping in and collection centers across the island of Java to produce gum rosin and turpentine. Processed in four plants, Indonesia’s annual turpentine production is approximately 50,000,000 kg.

Turpentine product is mostly exported directly without further processing here home in Indonesia. It is well known that this turpentine cannot be used for making any derivatives since it contains several components depending upon the species of pine trees. In order to obtain more valuable products that can compete with global demands it is imperative to purify its main compound instead of direct export of raw turpentine. This turpentine mostly contains α-pinene, δ-3-carene, and other compounds. There are opportunities for a technological process innovation for processing of turpentine into it valuable derivative, such as terpineol, borneol, menthol, etc.

Gum rosin

            Gum rosin is a natural resin obtained from the distillation of pine resin. Physically, this rosin is  brittle and friable, with a faint piny odor. It is typically a glassy, solid, though some rosins will form crystals , especially when brought into solution. Rosin is an ingredient in printing inks, photocopying and laser printing paper, varnishes, adhesives (glues), soap, paper sizing, soda, soldering fluxes, and sealing wax. Gum rosin also can be used as a glazing agent in  medicines and chewing gum.